China wasn't powerful. China has a dying economy, a dead military, and no powerful central government. For European powers, it was an easy walk in, kill a few hundred thousand, use up the Natural Resources, and leave.
There are a few countries that have very powerful powers in the government. The United States is one of the most powerful governments in the world. China also has a powerful government.
open door policy
Many European nations were more powerful
Many European nations forced China to sign unequal agreements.
Chinese ports were opened for trade with European powers.
Prevent European powers from dividing up China.
European powers divided China into spheres of influence, while the United States promoted an Open Door Policy.
European powers divided China into spheres of influence, while the United States promoted an Open Door Policy.
Chinese ports were opened for trade with European powers.
China, moreso than Japan, had become controlled by European powers, which were militarily stronger. Japan participated more fully in the Industrial Revolution, and began to emulate the western powers in their imperialistic pursuits. China, Korea, Manchuria, and Indochina were soon targets of the Japanese as well as of European countries.
Several Asian nations avoided being colonized by European powers. China and Siam (Thailand), were two of these.
spheres of influence -plato friends! ;P